Garment



Sept. 3, 1935. M M, DOWNlNG 2,013,436

GARMENT Filed July 13, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7, 2

mu mimunmmunmu nmunmunul MA U0 M. 00m/w@ 5y MM @a im n nl SePt- 3, 1935 M. M. DowNlNG 2,013,436

GARMENT Filed July 13 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 3, 1935 PATENT OFFICE GARMENT Maud M. Downing, Miami, Fla., assignor of one-half to Edith C. Wall, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 13, 1933, serial No. 680,217

4 Claims.

My invention relates to the general class of Womens Wearing apparel, and more particularly to lingerie and sanitary garments.

It has among its objects the production of a comfortable and attractive single garment which may combine the features and advantages of several garments, or serve the purpose of any one of the different articles of apparel which it is designed to include.

A further object of my invention is the production of a one-piece garment which is form-fitting, extremely light weight, brief, cool, sanitary and economical of manufacture.

A particular object of the invention is the production of an article of lingerie which will combine the qualities of a teddy, step-in, bloomer, sanitary apron and sanitary belt, and in which, due to its skeleton design and elasticity, it is not necessary to lower or drop the waist band or remove the garment in order to obtain ready access to any part of the body it may be desired to clothe.

A further object of my invention is the production of a combination garment that may be used with or Without the catemenial features, and which may by its lack of buckles, clasps or other attaching devices, eliminate all unsightly bulging and bulkiness, making it positively unnoticeable by observation, contact or silhouette, as Well as eliminating all possibility of rust n` laundering, and at the same time aording the utmost in comfort, hygiene and modesty and absolute protection from stain to the outer garments due to perspiration or other causes.

An additional object of my invention is the production of an article of lingerie that may be Worn, if desired, over a foundation garment or Without foundation, which in principle is threein-one,-that is, a step-in or panty designed so form fitting that it affords an attractive and modest undergarment and covering for the body, with no bulky edges or seams to be seen through the softest and most clinging of outer garments; a belt that has all the desirable features of a sanitary belt, without tight rubber or tapeencircling the Waist or hips; and the rubber protector shaped and brief in construction taking the place of the sanitary apron.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a garment with exible supporting means horizontally across the back and to keep the material taut and prevent it from wrinkling and pulling into the crease of the buttocks, which is a common fault of garments of this character.

, Another object of my invention is the provision (Cl. 12S-287) of an article of clothing that by its construction lends itself readily to variation in sizes to suit individual figures, and which by reason of its brevity, small number of parts and adaptability as to material may be conveniently and eco- 5 nomically manufactured.

An additional object of my invention is the production of an undergarment which may be used merely as a dainty and attractive article of lingerie or, by reason of the readily detachable i0 moisture proof protector, may be conveniently converted into a satisfactory and comfortable sanitary garment.

A further object of my invention is the designing of a garment particularly adapted for sport l5 and athletic wear, as in tennis, basket ball, golf, running, jumping, swimming, etc., inasmuch as it embodies all the desirable features of comfort, security and modesty, as well as giving support during strenuous exercise. 20

Many other objects and advantages of the yconstruction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel 25 construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: 30

- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of my garment;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2 to show the pocket-like design of the moisture-proof insert; 35

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of the moisture-proof detachable protector;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail View of the preferred stay construction;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on 40 line 5 5 of Fig. 4 with napkin 30 (not shown in Fig. 4) in place;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the inner side of a 45 front or rear panel showing the manner of detachably securing the protector to the body of the garment and the loop for holding a sanitary pad.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred forms of my invention are shown, embodied in a garment designed for the purposes set forth, the same consists primarily of a back portion which is extended to provide an intermediate crotch portion and a front portion.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, I represents a back portion which is of a width to extend across the back to each side with the sides extending more or less parallel for a part of the distance below the top or tol approximate the buttocks and thence narrows more or less gradually to provide what may be termed an intermediate or crotch portion 4 extending to the front of the body and which at the front gradually increases in width until the top edge is of a length slightly less than the top edge of the back portion l. In the figures referred to the front portion is made in two sections 2 and 3 detachably connected together by the snaps -or other suitable fasteners 5 and 6. The top edge of the rear portion l is reenforced on its inner side by a tape or band l of suitable material, while the front portion 3 is reenforced on its inner side at the top edge by a tape 8.r The top side edges of the front and back portions are yieldingly connected together by an elastic insert 9 or the equivalent which may be stitched as at Ill to the adjacent parts. YIt may be mentionedthat the length of the elastic connecting member 9 is rather short as compared with the distance around the top of the garment. The elastic is preferablyof the type'that lpermits a very considerable stretching so as to permit the garment to be drawn up over the hips, but is of sufficient tension to maintain the garment in place.

It will be noted by referring to Fig. 1 that the back portion might be termed substantially U- shaped, while the front panel is substantially V-shaped. The garment is open at the sides and the back portion so shaped and designed that the 'side edge E5 adjacentV the lower partv closely hugs the bodyunder the buttocks andthe edges ofthe intermediate portion" l 6 closely hug or grip the inner sides of the legs, the distance between the edges -of the intermediate portion being such that there is a fullness. or a' pouch formed betweenV the back and front portions. The side edges o-f the front portion Aas indicated at Il are so designed as to closely fit the groin and of a width to extend across the abdomen between the groins. The design of the garment isA such that the same hugsthe inner side of each leg from a point below the hips and above the' thigh so that there is no fullness at the edges of the garment, and the garment closely fits and contacts with the body. f

In .order to maintain the back portion with the side edges spaced apart and prevent the edges from being drawn toward the center', I prefer to provide a flexible'or pliable stay at the back approximately mid-way between the top and bottom of the buttocks which tends to'prevent the garment being drawn into the crease between the buttocks, thereby causing theintermediate portion to bunchup between the innerV sides of the legs and reduce its effective width'. The stay not only prevents the garment herein described from being drawn into the crease, but also tends to prevent the outer garments, whether of sheer material or athletic apparel, from followingA the same tendency. The same therefore avoidsidiscomfort as well as maintainsthe outer garments in attractive, graceful and modest conformity to the outer contourlines of the ligure. If desired, a similar stay may beV arranged at the. frbnt so as to maintain'the garment distended. Ordinarily the frontl stay is no-t so necessary as in the rear, as the abdomen will maintain the frlont panel more orless extended.

This s-tay may be maintained in place in any*I desired manner, but in the garment illustrated it is removable from the garment and forms a yfurther function of securing an inner moistureproof lining in the garment. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, I8 represents a stay which is connected to a similar stay I9 by an intermediate portion 28, the same being substantially H- or removed at the unsecured edge 23.

When the garment is to be used as a sanitary belt or catemenial device it is provided with an inner lining 25 preferably of thin, soft rubber or other moisture-proof material. This lining isvonly employed at the intermediate crotch portion land extends substantially to what might be termed the juncture of the intermediate portion with the front and back panels. It is practically of the same width as the intermediate portion and follows the same Iines.

As shown, the extreme edge of the sheet is turnedback as at 28 and secured to the body of the sheet sogas to form a pocket for the stay I9, the same'being opened intermediate the edges at 21 so astopermit the insertion or removal of the stay. Obviously, the inner lining is detachably secured inA place by the stay and the end supported thereby. The opposite end of the lining may be secured to the front portion 2 by a similar stay or in anyV othervequivalent manner, preferably so that'the samemay be as readily detached as the rear end. Both the intermediateportion and the lining are gathered in the side edges so as to give the pouch effect desired, asin this manner of construction the edges of the pouch will tend to bend inwardly and upwardly rather than outwardly and downwardly, thus retaining any'secretion or moisture in the pocket and not permitting it to seep out onto the outer garments. The garment used in this way constitutes a sanitary apron. When used as a catemenial appliance or garment a napkin or pad 38 of absorbent material is arranged withinthe garment at the intermediate portion and extends forwardly and rearwardly, the front and rear ends of the'pad being preferably secured in the garment. I have shown in Fig-5 an absorbent pad 38 (the same not being shown in Fig. 4) to illustrate how the same may be'secured in place by extending the same between the'tape and stay. 'I'he intermediate portion of the stay pocket being Vunstitched at 24, the end of the pad is easily inserted and folded back upon itself and retained in place by the pressure of the garment on the body, thus eliminating the necessityof pins or similar fastening kmeans. If desired additional tabs 3B may be provided to which a sanitary napkin or pad may be attached instead of to the stay pocket, either by extending the same through the loops or by using pins Vor other fastening' usedasa step-in, Ypanty or merely as lingerie.V

Another. advantage of the lining being removable is that the garment may be laundered Without special precautions, as of course it would be impossible to iron the garment at the point having rubber or similar lining if permanently secured in place.

A modied form of stay is shown in Fig. 'l in which 3i represents the garment, 32 a reenforcing tape and napkin support, and 33 an alternate form of support in the form of a tab. In this case a stay is encased in a casing 3G which may be suitably secured to the garment at one end, as for example by stitching as at 35 `and detachably secured to the garment at the other end by a snap fastener 3S or equivalent means. The lining 3l is formed with the turned over end which is secured to the body of the lining at the edge of the turned over portion. In this case to apply or remove the lining 3'! it is only necessary to unfasten the end of the casing 34 from the garment and slip the lining oif of the stay. The same may be replaced in the same way. With this form the napkin or pad may be secured on the loops 32 or tabs 33, it being understood that these are preferably provided at the front and back parts of the garment.

YWhile insofar as the stay and removable lining are concerned, the garment may be made substantially a one-piece back, front and intermediate portion, that is to say, the front part in one piece, it is generally preferred to make it in two parts except in the case of garments designed for athletic use or more inexpensive garments. I have not considered it necessary to illustrate this form. With the garment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 access may be had to the body or the pad may be applied, removed or replaced by unfastening the front section and dropping the lower front portion as desired.

The provision I have made of gathering or tucking the protector to form a pocket is an added advantage in giving perfect security and protection, as all moisture is retained within the pocket, whereas in other garments for this purpose there is a tendency of the edges of the garment at the crotch to bend outwardly at the edges, allowing whatever secretion there may be to seep out, thus defeating the purpose of such a garment. The outer side edges of the front, back and intermediate portion Aare preferably hemmed as a reenforcement or may be reenforced by tape, and in this connection it will be noted that when the garment is applied, from the top of the back panel or portion at either side of the garment, the edge at each side of the garment follows in a line down the side of the body and underlies the buttock and continues to the front of the body, lying close to the inner side of the leg at the crotch and thence folle-ws up to the waist line of the front portion. This gives a snug, close fit at the inner sides of the legs but without any uncomfortable binding or restraint of body action. This, with the gathering or tucking of the garment and lining, assures the maintenance of the pocket and the positive retention of the edges at the crotch at Ian elevation above the pocket. It also tends to prevent the crotch portion edges from drawing together and reducing the effective width of the crotch portion.

My garment has the very desirable advantage of being economical to manufacture by reason of its brevity and small number of parts requiring a minimum of material and labor and by reason of its construction being readily adaptable to a wide range in sizes to fit different types of figures. Aside from its attractiveness, the selling qualities of the garment are also enhanced by the fact that it may be designed in a great variety of materials from the lacey, silken models for dress to the inexpensive style of net for sport wear, and nainsook, pajama cloth, batiste, rayon, broadcloth or any other materials suitable for undergarments, for general wear, thus making it possible to put the garments on the market with a sliding scale of prices and bringing it within the reach of all purses.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a garment of the kind described, the combination with a body part consisting of front and back portions and an intermediate connecting section relatively narrow in width as compared to the front and back portions provided with a fullness between the side edges, means at either side of the garment for yieldingly connecting the front and back portions at the top, a lining of moisture-proof material arranged at the inner side of the intermediate section and substantially corresponding in contour with the same and of a Width to provide a fullness between the sides, and means for removably securing said lining in place including a flexible stay of a length greater than the width of the intermediate or crotch portion extending transversely of a. body part portion and at the top edge of the lining thereat, whereby the crotch portion is maintained extended its full width and means on said body portion for securing said stay at the ends.

2. A lingerie garment of the kind described comprising a body member tapering outwardly to the front and rear from a narrow crotch, portion of gradually increasing width at the front and back ends thereof, the front and back of said body member spaced apart, an insert of resilient material connected with the front and back portions of said body member at the waist line, a detachable lining of moisture-proof material at the crotch of said body member, said moistureproof lining being tucked or gathered along its outer edges to form a pouch and provided with a heading at each end to carry a detachable stay, pockets of approximately the width of said heading provided on the outer edges of said body member at the points of attachment of the moistureproof lining for supporting the ends of said stay, horizontally extending loops at the ends of the moisture-proof lining attached to said body member for the insertion of the ends of a sanitary pad, and tabs extending from the top of said body member at the center front and center back.

3. A lingerie garment for women of the kind described consisting of a narrow belt having elastic side sections, a V-shaped back section secured to the belt adjacent each side at the elastic side section and of a width to cover a substantial portion of the back and buttocks and tapered downwardly to an intermediate crotch portion, the crotch portion shaped to conform to and closely fit the inner sides of the legs and of a width to extend to and lie in the crease adjacent each leg and to provide a pouch, the front end of the crotch portion gradually increasing in width to provide a front panel and closely fitting in the groin with the upper end secured to the front of the belt adjacent each side at the elastic side section, detachable means at the rear of Vthe crotch portion and cooperating with said elastic side sections for maintaining the crotch portion extended transversely and whereby the side edges of the crotch portion are maintained in the said. creases and closely tting at the sides of the legs and the garment is maintained from drawing into the crease between the buttocks oi the body.

f 4. A garment of the kind described consisting of a back panel of substantial Width at the top and gradually tapering down tov provide an intermediate crotch section of substantially reduced width and thence gradually increasing in width to the end and constituting the lower part of a front panel, the edge of the intermediate section being curved to closely fit the leg contour at the inside, a V-shaped front portion having the upper side edges at the top yieldingly connected with the side edges of the back portion adjacentV the top thereof, with the point of the V depending downwardly, and means for detachably securing the two front parts together at the point of the V and above at the upper side edges of the otherfront section adjacent the top thereof, detachable stay means for maintaining the side edges at the rear end of the intermediate section in extended spaced relation, and a moisture proof lining gathered at its edges'provided in said intermediate sectionr of the back panel and removably secured thereto. Y

' MAUD M. DOWNING. v 

